Patriots find right finish to beat Eastern Alamance

Published: Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 01:05 AM.

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MT. HERMON — After building an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Southern Alamance was in a comfortable position against Eastern Alamance in non-conference boys’ basketball Friday night.

And when the Eastern Alamance rallies came, Southern Alamance answered the call each time, as the host Patriots hung on for a 63-60 victory.

“They stepped up,” said Southern Alamance Anthony Noell of his team. “They were real patient, they stuck together and showed some real toughness down the stretch.”

Twice in the final 90 seconds, Eastern Alamance came within two points of the lead. Each time, Southern Alamance came up with defensive stops.

The Patriots (2-1) extended what was a four-point halftime lead to 47-39 to start the fourth quarter. When Jalen Burnett completed a traditional three-point play at the 6:14 mark of the quarter, Southern Alamance led 50-39.

Eastern Alamance (0-2) charged back, thanks to seven points each from Sae-Quahan Rogers and Aaron Clay in the last six minutes.

But the comeback bid was left short, leaving Eastern Alamance with two tight losses (the Eagles lost to Graham 70-65 on Tuesday) to begin its season.

MT. HERMON — After building an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Southern Alamance was in a comfortable position against Eastern Alamance in non-conference boys’ basketball Friday night.

And when the Eastern Alamance rallies came, Southern Alamance answered the call each time, as the host Patriots hung on for a 63-60 victory.

“They stepped up,” said Southern Alamance Anthony Noell of his team. “They were real patient, they stuck together and showed some real toughness down the stretch.”

Twice in the final 90 seconds, Eastern Alamance came within two points of the lead. Each time, Southern Alamance came up with defensive stops.

The Patriots (2-1) extended what was a four-point halftime lead to 47-39 to start the fourth quarter. When Jalen Burnett completed a traditional three-point play at the 6:14 mark of the quarter, Southern Alamance led 50-39.

Eastern Alamance (0-2) charged back, thanks to seven points each from Sae-Quahan Rogers and Aaron Clay in the last six minutes.

But the comeback bid was left short, leaving Eastern Alamance with two tight losses (the Eagles lost to Graham 70-65 on Tuesday) to begin its season.

“Just like I said (Tuesday), we have a lot of work to do execution-wise, keeping the floor spaced, running our offense, running our inbounds plays,” Eastern Alamance coach Jay McPherson said. “Just basic stuff that’s going to take a little time for us. We’re going to be alright.”

As for Southern Alamance, the Patriots seemed to be just a bit more alright than Eastern Alamance, taking a lead in the first 10 seconds of the second quarter and never relinquishing it.

Even in the final minutes, when Eastern Alamance applied full-court pressure, Southern Alamance was able to break the press and either draw fouls or pick up close looks at the basket.

“We just had to stay focused, don’t let up and keep the intensity,” said the Patriots’ Shane Forbes, who scored a team-high 16 points.

“We know that Eastern is no slouch, so we had to go out and bring our best game,” Burnett said.

Lamont Robinson scored a game-high 19 points for Eastern Alamance, but was the only player in double-figure scoring for the Eagles.

“We’re just trying to find … some chemistry, find a rotation, trying to run our sets,” McPherson said. “We’re not far along to where we’re looking to get specific things at specific times. We’re just trying to build some chemistry.”